Is this person… truly transformed from a fox? Emperor Taizong watched his slow departing steps, then looked at the handful of radishes on the table, his heart reducing its aversion by several degrees.
Outside Ciyuan Hall, the carvings primarily featured music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, each paired with peonies. The windows were carved with bat and fish patterns – the bats hung their heads holding coins, while the fish patterns were shaped like carp leaping through the dragon gate, symbolizing wealth and abundance. Tang Lici stepped into the hall where curtains hung deep, pervaded by a faint, elegant fragrance of unknown origin. Two pink-clothed maidservants stood to one side, respectfully bowing to him.
“I heard that Her Majesty Consort Yun has been unwell recently, so your subject came specially to visit,” Tang Lici said softly. “How is her condition?” From behind the curtains came a gentle, pleasant voice with a melancholy tone: “Just the same as always, what else could it be… Chuntao, Xiahe, withdraw. I want to chat with Uncle about family matters.” The two pink-clothed maidservants acknowledged and withdrew, closing the hall doors. Tang Lici stood in the hall with straight back, neither approaching the curtains nor kneeling, his face bearing a slight smile.
The woman behind the curtains seemed to sit up, the emerald curtains rippling like water: “You and I haven’t seen each other for a long time… That you would come to see me – honestly, I’m quite surprised.” Consort Yun said melancholically: “Speak then – for what reason have you come to see me, cough cough… what do you want to find out, or what do you want… cough cough cough…” She leaned against the bed coughing, her cough weak and desolate, utterly forlorn: “You wouldn’t come without wanting something…” Tang Lici said softly: “Yun’er, in your heart am I ultimately such a heartless person?”
“Yes.” Consort Yun’s voice was low and weak, but her tone was decisive. She then smiled lightly: “Cough cough… but I… but I still can’t bear to let you go. Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. Speak – what do you want?” Tang Lici smiled slightly: “I want the Green Enchantress Pearl from the imperial crown.” Consort Yun seemed slightly startled, then laughed: “Green Enchantress, Green Enchantress… truly a treasure sought by thousands and coveted by ten thousand, hahaha…” She said in a low voice: “Do you know you’re not the first person to mention the Green Enchantress to me? Haha, my illness… actually isn’t an illness…” The emerald curtains gently parted, revealing a woman behind them who was graceful and pure, her skin like snow, delicate as a lotus swaying in the wind, only her face was pale and her lips dark: “Someone poisoned me, forcing me to obtain the ‘Green Enchantress’ pearl for him within a month. The poison in my body can only be cured by the ‘Green Enchantress’ – he calculated that I wouldn’t dare disobey.”
Tang Lici’s eyes moved, smiling lightly: “Who is it?” Consort Yun said melancholically: “The messenger was Guard Qi’s young nephew. The person behind it naturally wouldn’t be him – just a chess piece being used by others. But I heard that the person wanting the ‘Green Enchantress’ needs it to cure heat poison. The Green Enchantress isn’t a cure-all – I sent people to inquire privately. The matching poisons are only a few types: one is Yellow Bright Bamboo, one is Gorgeous Blossom, one is Lone Branch Like Snow. All three are strange poisons – besides the Green Enchantress, there’s no medicine to save them.” Tang Lici said softly: “You’ve always been very clever.” Consort Yun smiled miserably: “Clever… if I were ten times cleverer, would you pity me?” Tang Lici’s eyelashes lifted slightly, saying indifferently: “No.” Consort Yun turned her head away: “Then why praise me?” Taking a long breath, she continued: “The poison in my body is Gorgeous Blossom toxin. I guess the person seeking medicine might also have Gorgeous Blossom poison.” Tang Lici’s eyes moved slightly: “If he’s cautious enough, I’m afraid he doesn’t have Gorgeous Blossom poison. I want the Green Enchantress to cure Yellow Bright Bamboo poison.” Consort Yun turned to look at him, smiling faintly: “You’re not poisoned – who are you seeking medicine for?” Tang Lici said: “Some friends.” Consort Yun stared at him intently: “One Green Enchantress pearl can’t save several people…” Tang Lici didn’t answer. She paused for a while, then slowly asked: “Do you… want me to die… for your friends?” Tang Lici’s expression didn’t change, still not answering.
A tear slid down her face. She slowly lowered the emerald curtains, leaving herself behind the hanging drapes: “I understand… Three days from now, in the Emerald Willow Little Lotus incense burner, the Green Enchantress pearl – take it… yourself.” She was Tang Weiqian’s daughter. Years ago when Tang Weiqian rescued Tang Lici from the well, she had carefully tended him at his bedside, then fell in love with this elegant, supremely talented adoptive brother… Yet Tang Lici was independent and self-reliant, unmoved by her tender feelings. Later she entered the palace as a consort – this heart matter had become completely unbearable, but Tang Lici had… never shown any sympathy for her misfortune…
In her youth she had read so many books and watched plays, often speaking of gentlemen’s fickleness – truly… what a fickle gentleman indeed…
“Yun’er, I told His Majesty I could cure your illness.” Outside the curtains, Tang Lici didn’t turn and leave as she had imagined. The voice reaching her ears was still gentle, even still lightly smiling, as if her heartbreak didn’t exist at all: “If I can’t cure it, that would be the crime of deceiving the emperor.” Consort Yun trembled slightly: “You…”
“I don’t know medical arts, but I won’t abandon Yun’er.” Tang Lici said softly. Footsteps sounded slowly as he walked toward the bed. One hand passed through the hanging curtains, his fair, soft fingers gently stroking Consort Yun’s hair: “Do you understand?” Consort Yun’s whole body stiffened: “I don’t understand…” Tang Lici’s voice remained gentle: “I will save you.” Consort Yun slowly asked, her voice trembling slightly: “You want to save me… is it for you, or for me?” Tang Lici only gently stroked her cheek: “Don’t be afraid.” Consort Yun grabbed his hand, saying in a trembling voice: “Lici, in your heart… do I hold even the slightest place? Usually… usually besides my father, do you sometimes think of me? When the wind blows, when it rains, when His Majesty is angry, do you… have you ever thought of me?” The fingers held tightly in her hand gently withdrew. The voice outside the curtains was pleasant: “Of course.” Consort Yun’s delicate lips twitched slightly: “You’re lying to me.” Tang Lici didn’t deny it, saying softly: “I’ll come again tomorrow, bringing you the antidote.” Consort Yun remained silent. Tang Lici’s footsteps slowly departed. After a moment, footsteps sounded again, but they were the two pink-clothed maidservants quietly returning. They lifted the hanging curtains on both sides, carefully hooking them up with curtain hooks, asking softly: “Your Majesty, would you like some tea?” Consort Yun gathered her spirits and showed a cheerful expression: “Chatting about family matters with Uncle, my spirits are much better. Tell the imperial kitchen to bring a plate of fresh fruit.”
Tang Lici left Ciyuan Hall with flowing robes and light sash, his gait serene. The pearls on Emperor Taizong’s crown were passed down from Emperor Taizu. Even for the favored Consort Yun, secretly switching them would be no easy task. The key lay with Wang Jien, the grand eunuch who dressed the emperor. Having him steal or snatch the pearl wouldn’t be difficult – the difficulty was that the imperial palace had many experts. Once traces were left, the National Uncle’s residence would face great catastrophe. Transferring the task to others to steal the pearl would be the best strategy, but someone had already struck first, forcing Consort Yun to steal the pearl… Was this a plan to kill two birds with one stone? Was the real purpose truly the Green Enchantress, or the National Uncle’s residence? Or perhaps… Meihua Yishu, Kuanglan Wuxing, or even… Fu Zhumei? Having seen Consort Yun, news would certainly spread. Since Consort Yun had mentioned the three-day deadline for stealing the pearl, the theft plan was probably already prepared, and that the Green Enchantress would fall into his hands through Consort Yun was likely within others’ expectations. In three days, there would be a bitter battle at Emerald Willow Little Lotus. But even if Consort Yun’s pearl theft succeeded, even if he smoothly obtained the Green Enchantress, the National Uncle’s residence would inevitably encounter great disaster. Who could steal the Green Enchantress? His Majesty knew very well… Regardless of success or failure, the Tang residence would be the sacrifice.
How to change the situation? His eyes moved slightly, his gaze containing a smile.
A person turned from around the corner of the courtyard. Seeing Tang Lici, he called out joyfully: “Lici.” Tang Lici looked up to see Yang Guihua from the Infantry Command approaching: “Brother Yang, have you been well?” Yang Guihua’s friendship with Tang Lici wasn’t particularly deep, but they had long admired each other. Rarely seeing Tang Lici appear in the palace, he immediately came forward: “When did Lici return? I heard you’ve been wandering mountains and waters, traveling most of the world – what are your impressions?” Tang Lici smiled: “Brother Yang’s footsteps have also covered the world – that’s rather formal talk. You look like you’re in a hurry – where have you returned from this time?” Yang Guihua said frankly: “Recently the capital region hasn’t been peaceful. Many people of unknown identity have been moving between the two capitals. Duty compels me to investigate, but currently there aren’t major clues, making it difficult to determine who they’re targeting.” Tang Lici raised his eyebrows, smiling quite clearly: “If they’re not targeting His Majesty, the Infantry Command doesn’t care?” Yang Guihua laughed heartily: “Anyone who dares cause trouble within the capital region, Yang takes full responsibility. I just wonder if Lici has any related clues?” Tang Lici smiled: “If I had any, I’d speak without reservation.” Yang Guihua said: “Much obliged for your words.” He cupped his fists and hurried away.
Tang Lici walked forward with flowing sleeves, the slight smile still on his lips. Yang Guihua… was actually a good person – loyal to duty, intelligent without being slick, just a bit timid, never daring to speak his true thoughts. Recently many martial artists had been moving around the capital region – was their purpose the Green Enchantress? Or was it for Tang Lici? Or perhaps… truly for His Majesty? Now that the Song-Liao conflict had just settled and General Yang’s bones weren’t yet cold, who would want to harm His Majesty? National hatred? Personal vengeance?
Another person approached from ahead. Originally heading to Chuigong Hall, seeing him he suddenly stopped and turned around. Tang Lici smiled slightly. The person who stopped wore grand sleeves with a golden sash – it was the current Grand Guardian and Attendant Zhao Pu. After turning around, Zhao Pu strode toward him: “Uncle Tang, it’s been a long time.” Tang Lici nodded. Though he was honored as Consort Yun’s adoptive brother, he had no title or official position. Zhao Pu ranked among the Three Excellencies, yet it was Tang Lici who stood motionless while Zhao Pu walked toward him, his face showing slight excitement: “Uncle Tang… forgive my presumption, but how did you… learn of his news? Is he… is he well now?” Tang Lici’s eyes moved, his expression calm: “To be honest, he’s not doing too well now.” Zhao Pu showed a slight bitter smile: “How is he not well?” Tang Lici’s lips curved slightly as he reached into his robes to retrieve something, slowly presenting it to Zhao Pu. Zhao Pu saw it was fragments of paper. Taking it and opening it, he saw it was a broken fan, the gold powder still glittering brilliantly, the fan’s break was straight – the fan ribs had clearly been cut by a sword. Holding the fan, Zhao Pu’s whole body shook greatly, hot tears nearly bursting from his eyes as he said in a trembling voice: “Where… where is he now?” Tang Lici’s expression remained calm, but his words were gentle: “If there’s an appropriate opportunity, perhaps I’ll let you meet once.” Zhao Pu took a deep breath, trying to suppress his excited emotions: “What do you want?” Tang Lici said slowly: “If His Majesty wants to find trouble with the National Uncle’s residence, I hope Prime Minister Zhao can bear with it more. My adoptive father is loyal to His Majesty and would never dare do anything treacherous or disrespectful – that’s beyond doubt.” Zhao Pu’s heart chilled, knowing his words had hidden meaning. Tang Lici smiled lightly, glancing at him: “As for other matters… there’s nothing else…” Zhao Pu’s chest heaved, his mind in turmoil. Suddenly he asked sternly: “Has he… has my son fallen into your hands?” Tang Lici didn’t turn back, his sleeves hanging down as he walked away among the flowers, his steps leisurely: “He… would never fall into anyone’s hands, would he? Including you…”